High-flying Gateshead provide the opposition for Barnet in the Conference game of the day on Saturday as the top-of-the-league Bees make the long trip to Tyneside.

Following the disappointment of a play-off final defeat to Cambridge United in May, Gary Mills’ side have enjoyed a strong first third of the campaign and sit in third position, just three points behind Martin Allen’s men.

The Heed finished third last term – comfortably their best finish in five seasons back in the Conference – but lost out to the U’s at Wembley 2-1 in their first ever visit to the national stadium.

It was a summer of change at the Gateshead International Stadium, with no fewer than 11 players allowed to leave for pastures new following the heartbreak of defeat under the famous arch.

Among those released were experienced heads such as Josh Walker, Liam Hatch (formerly of Barnet) and Jack Lester.

There were also two high-profiles sales, with wide men James Marwood and Marcus Maddison sold to St Mirren and Peterborough United respectively – the price of a good season without taking the ultimate step of promotion.

With so many players leaving the club, it would have been understandable if the Tynsiders suffered something of a hangover at the start of the season. But if anything, they appear hell-bent on making sure they go one better this year.

After winning their first two, a 2-2 draw at Eastleigh and a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Grimsby Town could have derailed them, but Mills’ side responded by winning four of their next five and have lost only once since being beaten by the Mariners.

Most impressive of all is Gateshead’s form at home, where they have won six out of eight and, as a result, boast the best home form in the Conference in the last six games.

The returning Jon Shaw has played a significant part in that run, netting six goals in just nine starts – four of which have come in home victories.

The 30-year-old forward returned to the club from Luton Town in the summer after a hit-and-miss stint at Kenilworth Road, where he scored just eight times in 30 league starts.

Between 2010 and 2012, Sheffield-born Shaw hit 45 league goals for the Heed in just 79 starts – form which prompted the Hatters to swoop for his services in the first place.

Shaw previously enjoyed good spells with Burton Albion (26 in 78 league starts) and Halifax Town (20 in 36), before moving to the north east, initially on loan, in November 2009.

Pulling the strings in midfield is former Barnet favourite John Oster. Now 35, the ex-Wales international is an ever-present in the Gateshead midfield this term.

The former Sunderland and Everton midfielder made 28 appearances for the Bees during the 2012/13 campaign, leaving the club following relegation.

Oster made more than 100 Premier League appearances before stays with Burnley, Reading and Crystal Palace. It was with Doncaster Rovers the Boston-born wideman finally settled, making more than 100 appearances prior to his switch to Barnet.

A Football League Championship winner in 2006, Oster has also won 13 Welsh caps during a seven-year international career.

Gateshead XI v Forest Green Rovers (11.10.14): Bartlett; Howe, Jones, Clark, Allan; Pattinson, Turnbull, Oster, Rodman; Wright, Shaw.